POWER TO POSTPONE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 479, 8 October 1928, Page 1

POWER TO POSTPONE

RACING CLUB’S RIGHTS NO REFUND OF BETS Although the Racing Club possesses power, under the rules of racing, to postpone a race meeting from day to day on account of inclement weather or extraordinary circumstances, nothing can be found to deal with a meeting which is interrupted half-way through, as was the case on Saturday. Under this rule the club claims the right to finish Saturdays meeting today and hold the second day’s racing to-morrow instead of to-day, as originally scheduled. It is clearly established that the starter’s decision in respect to any race shall be final, except in the case of a start in front of the starting post, or before the appointed time, or a start on the wrong course. The function of the judge is merely to establish the positions of the horses as they pass the post, after having satisfied himself that the race was legally a race in the opinion of the starter. Disappointment was experienced on Saturday at the refusal of the stewards of the Auckland Racing Club to refund totalisator investments to those who had backed the horses left at the barrier in the Cup. This course would have been impossible without having to pay out twice on the one race, however, as the rule in this connection reads: “Unless herein specially provided to the contrary, all money paid for tickets shall go to the dividend, and no claim for the refund of any such money shall be allowed.

When a person purchases a ticket at the totalisator window he enters into a legal contract, subject to the rules under which the race meeting is being conducted, and when his purchase is made he is deemed to be acquainted with these rules, and to be bound by them. No rights other than those conferred

by the rules of racing are his once the ticket has been purchased by him. Legally, therefore, the judge was correct in putting up the numbers after he had consulted the starter, and the club was equally correct in refusing to refund totalisator investments to disappointed punters. Presumably. ! also, the club was legally correct in | breaking up the meeting half-way | through, though the rules do not make | specific provision for this. VETERAN STARTER OVER 40 YEARS AT BARRIER -The starter, Mr. Charles O'Connor, is a veteran in the racing game in New Zealand. For over 40 years he has occupied the starter’s stand at the barrier at the great majority of North Island race meetings, and recently was described by a prominent racing authority as “The Prince of Starters.” Mr. O’Connor is exceptionally well known, and has, throughout his career

on the oourse,-held- the confidence of the clubs-, the jockeys and the investing public, Saturday Week, September 29, was the first occasion that his decision as starter has been questioned, and it was unfortunate that an incident of a similar character—but associated with more serious consequences—should have beset his path exactly a week later;

Only once during his 40 years of starting has .Mr, O’.Connor been unable to take his stand at the post. That was at Wanganui.two years ago, when he started, the -first day’s racing, but was compelled, by a sudden serious illness, to abandon his post on the second day. A local deputy filled his place op that occasion.

It. is recognised by the racing authorities and the sporting public that Mr. O’Connor, who lives in Auckland cannot occupy his position indefinitely! bub it is agreed that there is not a man available in the Dominion to fill his job. wjth equal efficiency.